Exploring Wicked Problems Through Design Theory: Poverty

Design theory is what guides designers to create and evaluate design using principles, concepts, and methods. Constantly creating newer designs, as a future designer it matters because it will help with improvement in design to better the built environment. Not only making it look pretty but using sustainability and other elements for a better future. When it comes to designing, the choices made reflect the values and principles designers have; these will have a huge impact on the way they see problems and design for people. According to “The Psychology of Design: How Design Influences Perception” stated that theory influences how we perceive design by helping us understand the design, design process, and the design artefacts. By using design theory, it can help analyze solutions for shelters amongst people living in poverty. This is by focusing on spaces that support occupants' well-being. Theory can help with finding different techniques to implement in the design, like; welcoming environments, community integration, adequate ventilation, and affordable and sustainable materials. Within design, there are many problems that have no solutions but can always be improved, seen as wicked problems. Poverty, for example can be seen as a wicked problem there are many people who are living in poverty that don’t have a place to stay. That is why the design in shelters is important, to better their situation. This paper will define what a wicked problem is, values/beliefs, boundaries, and responsibilities designers have.